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Heel Spurs

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are one of the leading causes of pain and swelling in the heels, and they’re quite difficult to detect without help. David Kaplansky, DPM, Anthony Cozzolino, DPM, and the team at Kaplansky Foot and Ankle Centers in Columbus and Reynoldsburg, Ohio, can provide expert diagnoses and treatments for heel spurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are heel spurs?

Heel spurs are small bony growths on your heel. Heel spurs usually form a small hook with a super-sharp end. When you’ve got a heel spur, it can be painful to walk or even just to stand upright. Many heel spur sufferers find it especially painful to go barefoot because there’s almost no padding between the bony growth and the floor.

Heel spurs develop when calcium deposits build up on your heel. It’s usually a slow process, with the calcium buildup continuing until the growth extends out from your heel considerably.

The exact reason for the calcium deposit buildup isn’t always known, but it’s often connected to other conditions or injuries such as:

  • Sports injuries
  • Arthritis or other inflammatory diseases
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Tendonitis

When your body develops calcium deposits, it’s trying to heal damage, but it simply goes too far.

Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are often connected, and they also tend to have the same symptoms. Although heel spurs aren’t a cause of plantar fasciitis, it’s quite common for plantar fasciitis sufferers to develop heel spurs as well. Your podiatrist can determine whether you have heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, or both so that you can start an effective treatment plan.
Heel spur diagnosis starts with a discussion of your symptoms. Your podiatrist does a gentle hands-on examination of your heel and foot. Often, your podiatrist uses X-rays to see the heel spurs in detail before determining which treatments to pursue.

Treatment depends on your symptoms, needs, and preferences. At Kaplansky Foot and Ankle Centers, treatments can include:

  • Orthotics, including custom orthotics 
  • Physical therapy
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroid
  • Colchicine
  • Prescription medications for short-term relief
  • Ultrasound

You’ll work together with your Kaplansky Foot and Ankle Centers provider to find the treatment that works best for you.